ON THE OUTDOORS.

Another loony PETA angle

That is the best retaliation for PETA's latest quirky, angler-insulting, ridiculous anti-fishing campaign.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who declared last Saturday "Fish Amnesty Day," are seeking to make every day fish amnesty day and now are urging fishermen to turn in their rods and reels, to hang up their tackle.

I can't imagine anyone who enjoys fishing actually surrendering his or her gear to PETA for use in anti-fishing demonstrations. Most fishermen would burn their gear rather than donate it to PETA.

As a reminder to outdoorsmen--as if they need it--PETA opposes hunting, fishing and trapping and seeks to eradicate all of those activities. PETA also opposes dog mushing, rodeo and the circus.

More recently, PETA seems to have adopted the notion everyone in the world should become vegetarians. The group recently poked fun at actor John Goodman and opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, whom they consider overweight, and demanded they change their eating habits.

Now PETA has concluded fish feel pain and are being tortured when caught, even by fishermen who catch and release.

This is just another absurd example of PETA equating a lower species on the food chain with humans.

PETA's premise is that all animals are warm and cuddly. The organization even has someone on staff with the title of "Fish Empathy Project Manager."

"There's nothing sporting about luring defenseless animals to their deaths with the promise of food," Fish Empathy specialist Karin Robertson said in a PETA press release.

Sometimes PETA supporters just make the looniest statements.

On the group's Web site, Sylvia Earle, described as the former chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is quoted as saying, "I never eat anyone I know personally. I wouldn't eat a grouper any more than I'd eat a cocker spaniel. They're so good-natured, so curious."

Grouper?

"You know," she said, "fish really are sensitive. They have personalities. They hurt when they're wounded."

How does she know?

PETA has a long way to go to persuade Americans to hang up their fishing tackle.

About 34 million people fish in the United States and pour $36 billion annually into the economy. Fishermen--as well as hunters and other outdoorsmen--are the greatest contributors to preserving the environment. Money spent on licenses and other fees contributes mightily to habitat restoration and aiding wildlife species.

It is worth noting that if there was no hunting or fishing in the United States, the existence of many animals and fish would be threatened.

Taxpayers don't have the will or commitment to spend millions--maybe billions--of extra dollars funding those programs being underwritten by sportsmen.

Beyond that, the glut of certain species in specific areas would result in too many deer, elk, black bears and the like competing for too little food. Without fishermen taking their share of fish, the ecological balance of a lake or river would be altered.

Not long ago, I gave a speech to a group of Chicago fishermen. I had been asked by the coordinator to discuss animal-rights organizations, but when I brought it up, one angler said he never hears anything about groups opposed to fishing.

I was surprised. PETA's recent activities should put all fishermen on alert that there are organizations pouring resources into eliminating their hobby.